The Tarot of the Bohemians. Absolute Key to Occult Science. The Most Ancient Book in the World. For the Exclusive Use of Initiates; .
London: Chapman and Hall, Limited, 1892. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. xiv + 356pp. Original black cloth with gilt title and author to spine, gilt "key" design to upper board, illustrated with numerous b&w plates, one fold-out, frontis with tissue guard, bibliography and index. The scarce First English language edition of this important work Papus" (Dr. Gerard Encausse, 1865-1916), the French occultist and founder of the Martinist Order. Papus built on the work of Eliphas Levi to create one of the first major studies of the tarot as a key to esoteric initiation rather than simple divination. Cloth a bit rubbed overall, corners lightly bumped, corners and spine ends chafed with some fraying to corners and chipping to spine ends, short closed tears at upper gutters (hinge solid), light ripple to cloth of upper board, page edges and extreme margins a bit browned, owner's name and address on half title page, text clean. Overall a tight, unmarked near VG copy. (no dust jacket). Item #62685
Sold